Snake charmers

Broncos sign free-agent quarterback away from Cardinals

Jake Plummer will be able to air it out in the thin Denver atmosphere. Stephen Dunn/Getty Images

DENVER (AP) -- Jake Plummer agreed to a seven-year contract with Denver on Wednesday, giving the Broncos an experienced young quarterback to replace Brian Griese.

The Broncos also agreed to terms with defensive tackle Daryl Gardener, who played for Washington last season after spending his first six years with Miami.

Plummer spent his first six seasons with Arizona after being chosen by the Cardinals in the second round of the 1997 draft. SI.com's Don Banks reports that Plummer agreed to a seven-year contract worth just more than $40 million, including a $7 million signing bonus. The contract calls for another $6 million in the form of an option bonus in March 2005.

Plummer's departure from Arizona had been expected after a subpar 2002 season in which he had a 65.7 passer rating, near the bottom of the league among starting quarterbacks. And he had long been targeted by Denver, which has given Griese permission to seek a trade.

SI's Don Banks He's getting a second chance in Denver, and everybody knows it's high time he made the most of it. Jake Plummer? Nope, we're talking about that other career that has arrived at a crossroads. The one belonging to Mike Shanahan. King: Plummer worth gamble

"When it came down to it, the opportunity to work with [Broncos head coach] Mike Shanahan was the determinant factor, and also a franchise that has won Super Bowls and is on that same course to do it again, I believe," Plummer said when he arrived in Denver on Wednesday night.

"From what they've told me, what they believe I can add to this team, there's no reason we shouldn't be making a push very soon."

Plummer was also courted by the Chicago Bears.

At 28 and with 82 NFL starts, he's still considered talented. In 1998, he led the Cardinals to their first playoff victory since 1947, engineering several late-game comebacks to get Arizona into the postseason for the first time since 1982.

Plummer has thrown for 17,622 yards with 90 touchdowns and 114 interceptions in his six NFL seasons.

Dunn said working with Shanahan and offensive coordinator Gary Kubiak was a strong selling point for Plummer.

"That was probably the decision-maker," Dunn said. "He couldn't be looking forward to it more."

Gardener, a first-round draft pick by Miami in 1996, played just eight games for the Dolphins in 2001 due to back surgery. He started 15 games last year, leading Washington's defensive line with 71 tackles. He also had four sacks.

Gardener is expected to fill the hole left by Chester McGlockton, who was released by the Broncos on Feb. 25.

 

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